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| Wednesday, 23 February 2005 |
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Navy's newest ship heads home from US The latest ship acquired by the Sri Lanka Navy from the United States Coast Guard left the shores of US on Saturday after a simple ceremony attended by a host of officials from the US administration and the Armed Forces. The ceremony was conducted at the US Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek in Virginia, Norfolk where the ship was berthed, commencing with a multi religious blessing ceremony. Ven Maharagama Dhammasiri, Chief Incumbent of the Washington Buddhist Vihara and Ven Katugasthota Banthe Uparatana, Chief Incumbent of the Wheaton Buddhist Vihara conducted the Buddhist rites while chaplains from the US Navy conducted the Christian and Islamic religious observances. Hindu religious blessings were conducted by Rev Shastri Gi, Chief Prelate of the Hampton Roads Hindu Temple in Norfolk. Ambassador Devinda R. Subasinghe, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the US said this was a historic first acquisition from the US and thanked the US authorities for their magnanimous gesture of considering Sri Lanka for transferring this ship on the Excess Defence Articles (EDA) scheme. He said the military to military and the government to government relationship has grown significantly between the two countries during recent times and would continue to grow in the future. Coincidentally, he stated that the sailing away of the ship, after a comprehensive refurbishment program coincided with the arrival of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton to Sri Lanka. He wished the Captain of the ship and its crew all the best in this longest voyage ever undertaken by a Sri Lankan Navy vessel. Commander US 2nd Fleet, Vice Admiral Mark P. Fitzgerald, who was the senior most US military representative to grace the occasion, stated that he was extremely impressed with the professionalism, conduct and the spirit of the officers and crew of the P 621 and expressed that the friendship developed during the past months will certainly augur well for both navies in the future. He wished the Captain and the crew fair winds and happy tidings. Captain Sirimevan Ranasinghe, skipper of the vessel gave the vote of thanks. Rear Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, representing the Commander of the Navy, handed over the sailing orders to Capt Ranasinghe in front of the ship's company. The ship which was "dressed" for the occasion, left the docks in an inspiring and touching manner with all officers and sailors lining the deck. |
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